Burton defends ‘cowardly’ water plan

Social welfare claimants who could have their dole deducted for not paying water charges cannot have payments reduced below €186 a week under a new debt collection regime.

Tánaiste Joan Burton yesterday defended the plan, to be enacted by July, and claimed many households were in fact ‘beating the cap’ and so will pay less than their expected bills.

However, Ms Burton faced accusations of using “sneaky and cowardly” measures to deduct unpaid bills from people.